Harvard Fencing Releases 2012-13 Schedules

Cambridge, Mass. The 2012-13 schedules have been announced for the Harvard men's and women's fencing teams. Both teams are set for a grueling traveling season, starting off Nov. 17 at the Garret Open, with the only joint homestand occurring when the Crimson host the Ivy League Championships this season.

Both teams kick off the 2012-13 season at the Garret Open hosted by Penn State held from Nov. 17-18. Last year the Crimson women won three medals, including two gold in foil and saber, while the men took home the bronze in foil. A few weeks later, both Harvard teams will travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Dec. 2 to take on Vassar, North Carolina, NYU, Penn State, and Sacred Heart. Against the same field last year, both Harvard squads combined for a 9-2 performance by defeating every school except for No. 1 ranked Penn State at the competition. After the tournament, the Crimson women will come back to Harvard to take on Tufts on Dec. 7 before heading into the winter holiday break.

Both squads return to tournament competition on Jan. 13 in Queens, N.Y. for the St John's Invitational. Last season, both teams took down No. 1 Penn State in close matches at the invitational. The Crimson return to competition a month later as they host the Ivy League Championships Feb. 9-10. Both squads performed well last season with the men swiping second place and the women finishing third. The Beanpot Tournament kicks off at Boston College just days later on Feb. 13, where both Crimson teams hope to defend their titles.

The Crimson round out their season with the NCAA Regionals at Wellesley, Mass. on March 10 and the NCAA Championships on March 21-24. The Crimson finished strong last season with the men's team earning two gold medals at regionals and the teams combining for sixth place at the NCAA Championships.